Treatment of childhood Hodgkin's disease without radiotherapy

Abstract

Background: To minimize the side effects of treatment in children with Hodgkin's disease (HD), chemotherapy was given without radiotherapy. Patients and methods: From 1975 to 1984, 21 patients with HD having lymph nodes < 4 cm were treated with six MOPP courses. From 1984 to 1987, all children presenting with HD (n = 17) were given six ABVD courses. From 1987 to 1993 all children (n = 21) were treated with six alternating ABVD and MOPP courses. Results: MOPP-treated children showed an event-free survival (EFS) of 91%, overall survival, 100%; ABVD-treated children had an EFS of 70%, overall survival, 94%; ABVD-MOPP treated children had an EFS of 91% and an overall survival of 91%. Two cases developed a second malignancy. Toxicity was low. Conclusions: In children, ABVD-MOPP treatment gives a good survival, and toxicity is low. Radiotherapy is not needed to treat HD in children.